Welcome to VisionTMS

Our Mission is to offer the leading, most advanced TMS treatment in Australia to help improve the lives of all our patients. If you or someone you are supporting is suffering from a mental disorder such as major depression, VisionTMS can increase your chances of recovery.

We’re sure you have lots of questions about TMS, so our team has provided some helpful FAQs below. For more information, visit our How To Get Treatment page or get in touch with our supportive team.

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About us

What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

  • TMS is a non-invasive procedure that treats the symptoms of depression using magnetic waves to stimulate specific locations within the brain.
  • At VisionTMS, our radiologists and psychiatrists use an innovative combination of state-of-the-art brain MRI and TMS technologies at Vision XRAY practices. As experts in MRI and image-guided procedures, we specialise in enhancing TMS by using brain MRI to improve treatment precision for the best outcome possible.

What happens during my treatment course?

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Our TMS coordinator will speak with you to plan your TMS treatment pathway.

You will start off with a brain MRI so that our expert radiologists and psychiatrists can map your brain and pinpoint the precise region that will respond positively to TMS.

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After your MRI, you will be invited in our TMS treatment room to be seated in the comfortable, purpose-designed TMS armchair.

Here, our team uses neuronavigation technology to precision-guide the TMS machine. Your head position will be mapped with a camera and correlated with your MRI brain image. You will be fitted with a fabric cap that will mark the target site for the TMS treatment. You will be able to use that cap at any of our TMS locations during your treatment course.

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Before starting your first TMS treatment session, a TMS-trained psychiatrist meets you, assesses your needs and conducts a ‘dosing’ session to ensure that we’re delivering the optimal dose of magnetic energy dose for you.

Whilst seated in the TMS armchair, the TMS magnet will be positioned gently against your scalp. The psychiatrist will determine the best dose of magnetic energy to use during your TMS course by inducing a subtle muscle contraction between your index finger and thumb. No general or local anaesthetic is required.

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It's time to begin your treatment course!

The TMS magnet will sit gently against the target drawn on your cap. Whilst sitting comfortably in the TMS armchair, the magnetic waves will stimulate the cells within your cerebral cortex, which is the topmost layer in the brain (about a ¼ cm thick).

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When we apply this magnetism enough times to stimulate the group of brain cells, we can ‘switch off’ mental health symptoms. Think of it as your ‘mood switch’ resetting.

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With the correct dose of magnetic energy and waves aimed precisely at your mood switch, you have a better chance of recovering.

Does TMS really work?

TMS has been around since 1985. The technique was intended for diagnostic and research use, but it soon became apparent that TMS had therapeutic value. As a result, America’s FDA approved TMS for the treatment of depression in 2008 and OCD in 2018, and the technique has been used to treat various mental health disorders since then.

TMS in Australia

  • There is strong evidence in favour of TMS’s effectiveness in treating major depressive disorder (MDD).
  • TMS is supported by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
  • TMS has been TGA-approved for major depression since 2019 and Medicare-approved in Australia since 2021.
  • TMS research is being conducted to refine the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders and other mental health conditions.
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How can I get treatment?

Your GP or psychiatrist will provide you with a referral to VisionTMS. Please visit our How to Get Treatment page for more information.

Where are your VisionTMS locations?

VisionTMS is currently available at three of our Vision XRAY Group locations in Sydney.

Process

How many treatments do I need?

The initial treatment course is given over 4 weeks (20 sessions). A further 15 treatments may be spaced out, because gradual weaning may reduce the risk of relapse.

Some patients relapse, on average 4 months after the initial course. A retreatment course will typically involve a further 15 treatments being offered.

To prevent relapse, a booster course can be given every few months, administered over 1-2 weeks.

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Does Medicare cover my TMS treatments?

Medicare will cover your treatment and retreatment provided you meet certain criteria. Please click the link below to view full details about Medicare cover for TMS treatments.

PATIENT MEDICARE COVER TABLE
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eLearning to Boost your Mental Health Fitness

VisionTMS is proud to partner with MindSkiller®, an engaging and effective eLearning platform dedicated to enhancing your mental health fitness. MindSkiller® helps you learn skills and strategies to build your resilience and help you recover. It’s a wonderful tool to use alongside your VisionTMS treatments on your journey to good mental health.

EXPLORE MINDSKILLER®

Patient Medicare Cover

Initial TMS Treatment Course

Medicare provides cover if you meet the following criteria:

  • Not received TMS treatment previously.
  • At least 18 years of age.
  • Diagnosed with a major depressive episode.
  • Did not adequately improve from a major depressive episode.
  • Trialled at least two different classes of antidepressant medication (unless being exempt on medical grounds).
  • Undertaken psychological therapy (unless being exempt on medical grounds).

TMS Retreatment Course

Medicare provides cover if you meet the following criteria:

  • Previously received an initial course and had a satisfactory clinical response.
  • Relapsed after the initial course
  • An interval of at least four months since receiving the initial course.

TMS Booster Course

Medicare does not usually provide cover unless:

  • You commence the booster course four months after the initial course, and it forms part of the retreatment course.
  • Please contact us, and we can discuss your patient’s circumstances.

Medicare cover FAQs

What is the definition of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

  • An episode of depression that lasts at least 2 weeks.
  • Marked impairment in function.

Diagnostic criteria set out in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems – 11th Revision (ICD-11) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association – Fifth Edition (DSM-5) should guide the clinician.

How is a major depressive episode diagnosed for Medicare eligibility?

  • Trialled two antidepressants at the recommended therapeutic dose for at least 3 weeks.
  • The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist’s (RANZCP’s) clinical guidelines suggest a minimum trial period of 4 weeks with no response and 6-8 weeks where there has been a partial response.